I'm retired and The median home value here is around $811,000, which is pretty steep. Median household income is $79,071, which feels about average for the area. With a population of 25,897, Imperial Beach is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $79,071 in Imperial Beach. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Does this match your experience?
11 upvotes
12 Replies
Lori Y.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 11 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Daniel Hill
accurate
39 upvotes
Leonardo
literally same
37 upvotes
chicagowalker2025
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 43, moved here 13 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Pine Hills and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Tampa, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
36 upvotes
Colton Peterson
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The community vibe is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Willow Miller
I work in real estate here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is challenging. No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Vivian Bailey
it depends on the neighborhood
23 upvotes
Grayson Hughes
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
21 upvotes
Brielle Nelson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Jack W.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great craft beer places. the quality of life is solid.
7 upvotes
Wyatt M.
Moved here from Boston about 4 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to job market but Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Eric C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Denver it's hit or miss.
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